[ARC5] [ARC-5radio] I-84B Receiver Test Set

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

It isn't the neatest looking thing in the world but (excluding late WECo 
production B-models where the plugs do not have all of the pins) any parts 
grade or junker receiver has three plugs in it (the ANT/RF/OSC coil rack 
connectors) that fit the pin circle of the receiver and ATA and SCR-274-N 
transmitter rear power plugs.  All that you have to do (after removal and cleanup) 
is to drill a hole in the center and install one more mini-banana pin.  I 
always just used them open but you could machine a housing, too.  There are 
also three plugs (for the IF transformers) that, with the same modification, 
fit the AN/ARC-5 transmitters.  The only hidden gotcha is that the new center 
pin must match the height (length) of the shoulder on the existing pins so 
that all engage the sockets to the same depth.

In a message dated 10/28/2011 08:34:02 AM Central Daylight Time, 
aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org writes: 
> Oh, I agree, Robert.  I have a CD-706 test adapter  but discovered early 
> on that the adapter scratches the edges of any receiver plugged into it, so 
> I made up the cable that you describe without the sheet metal "clip" that 
> guides the connector into the socket on the rear of the receiver.  I simply 
> machined a small aluminum cylinder to mount the connector in, but you 
> could also pot it in epoxy as well.  The problem is that not everyone has a 
> spare rack connector to sacrifice to this duty.  Notes 2 and 6 at the bottom 
> of the GRM-1 cable image at http://aafradio.org/docs/Command_Set_Test.html 
> talk about a couple of alternatives, the first of which uses a PL-152 to 
> PL-152 cable -  but as Terry notes does not permit measurement of screen 
> voltage or dynamotor B+ without providing those to the I-84-B separately.
> 
> On 10/27/2011 10:13 PM, WA5CAB at cs.com wrote: 
> >> Personally, I think that I would make up the cable as shown, but 
>> without all of the metal hardware around it.  In other words, an 8-conductor 
>> cable with a PL-152 or 152-A on one end and an 8-pin plug to mate with the 
>> connector on the rear of the receiver on the other.  Assembly time the same 
>> as that to make up a dual PL-152-(*) cable.  If you use a modified rack, 
>> you can't get at anything much on the bottom of the receiver.
>> 
>> In a message dated 10/27/2011 19:07:47 PM Central Daylight Time, 
>> aaf-radio-1 at aafradio.org writes: 
>> >>> On 10/27/2011 12:39 AM, T. Comstock wrote:
>>> >I would have liked to connect the test set to the rack and not have to 
>>> build a custom connector for the back of the radio, but I see that data 
>>> will be lost for a couple of switch positions.
>>> 
>>> Yeh, unfortunately that is true.  You will lose screen voltage and 
>>> dynamotor B+ output measurements unless you are able to tap into pins 5 
>>> and 7 on the rear of the receiver.
>>> 
>>> It's a bit kludgey, but you can connect a pair of wires to pins 5 and 7 
>>> of the rack receiver connector (unused) and lead them out through one of 
>>> 
>>> the rear phone plug openings to a two pin connector.  Then make a "Y" 
>>> cable that has a PL-152 on each end to plug into the I-84-B and one of 
>>> the PL-152 mating connectors on top of the the racks.  You will have to 
>>> redirect cable wires to the *rack* connector from I-84-B pins 5 and 8 to 
>>> 
>>> the new connector.  Labeling of each PL-152 will be important for future 
>>> 
>>> use! :-)
>>> 
>>> Anyway, that's one way that is reversible to get full functionality from 
>>> 
>>> the test meter(s) when using a receiver rack.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> Mike
>>> 
>> 
> 

Robert & Susan Downs - Houston
wa5cab dot com (Web Store)
MVPA 9480